The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1887-05-11
TWICE DEAD.


strollers on the promenade, and big
fashionable, fastidious Westmouth
was wrapt for little time in u dream,
free from the fretfulness and the flut-
ter OF gaiety.
In one OF the quiet cross streets l
found the gate to which l had been
directed. A small brass plate an
nounced the name, and the soft strains
OF violin which hoated out through
the open window told mefurther thatin
n few more minutes should be learning
from Alice Ashbury the cost OF my
folly. Perhaps daring thought!) in
half an hour my lost, forsaken, in
jured love would be in my arms again
Tor she had loved me. And she Yves
as forgiving as an angel.
While must wait feverishly impa-
tent on the doorstep, you, reader,
may learn in very few words the rea-
son OF my suspense. A year ago, Just
year ago, and Alice Ashbury were
all the world to each other; there was
not n film OF distrust between us, and
then we quarreled. That is 'nough.
| make the confession with shame,
but will not dilate on the circum-
stances. | acted in IN impulsive,
inexcusable way, and went abroad Tor
ayear. When IretIrned Learned that
Alice had gone tc live with hermoth-
err, who was an invalid ut Westmouth,
and was there giving lessons on the
violin, by which exertions she and her
mother, with the little income Mrs.
Ashbpry received as n clergyman
widow from clerical charity, were
just able to live.
I In the old days Alice was a governess
in family where was a frequent
visitor. That was in London, where
, was reading law. was called to the
! bar exactly n month before that late
full. ridiculous quarrel | found my
self barrister, with pride formy pro,
| fession, ambition to succeed, and
plenty OF money; and u month later
| such ale the depths OF folly open to
| imDulsive natures-there was nothing
TO interest me in life but the torturlng
memories ola happiness | had thrown
away.
"Mr. Steadman," said the Sc
and in another moment | was
! - 81 agba1 nulf,tit nlOnn
Alice Ashbury. ~
1t was Alice. | could have told that
almost in the dark. But what had
happened? Those large luminous,
eloauent eyes were hidden behind n
hideous pair Of large stained glasses,
sicht.protectors, with glass in front
and at the sides. And then her throat,
her neck rs OF exquisitely modelled
ivory-that was cloaked and hidden
away in an ugly black band. Yet it
was Alice, her very self, and that was
enough for me.
The unavoidable restraint, n re-
straint very palpable in both OF us,
was no sooner endured and dismissed
than | assaied her with sym
pathy and enquiries which were Sc
saturated with self reproach and de
probation as to make further declar
ations superhuous. saw immediate
, " that | was forgiven. All! II
had seen nothing more, ] should not
have this narrative to tell.
Alice's manner was sweet-sweet as
: of old, but oh how Different How
, calm she became, and selt-subdued, al
| became eagerl She was not mine
she was not mine, though | wasso ful
ly forgiven.
Round and throughout every wore
, mud gesture was the unmlstakabl'
mandate, which only the most gra
rious natures can utter sweetly: "TC
this point you may come but no iur
: Their"
To my earnest, eager inquiries sh
had answered, quietly, "Oh, my throa
] will get better, and my eyes too,
hope. / have gone through create
changes than those little troubles sine
: I saw YOU. What made you com
. now, Herold? Had you not bette
have written ii we were not to keep u
|, that ridiculous quarrel till We wer
!. old?"
!, Soon after this, when l had spoke
, about, the past, and Alice had sighe
: when had spoken about the future
3 and she had shaken her head, thre'
= = OFF all restraint. In vain she told m
!. that the past must be a dream
7 pleasant one to her-that must no
: speak OF love; things were altered.
{ reproached and reviled myself, pro
I tested, / entreated. threatened
1 threatened that gentle, sympathetic
loving heart with my own unendir